Wednesday games, Thursday odds…
Posted by hoopsknowitall on December 6, 2007
Overall: 55-8 (87%)
Vs. Spread: 16-11 (59%)
Wednesday Games
Alabama (60) vs. #7 Georgetown (70): This was a surprisingly competitive game, with the Hoyas simply making their plays in the end when it counted and the Tide turning the ball over or missing a free throw every time momentum was in their favor. Despite being outrebounding tremendously 43-28, the Tide actually got nine more shots off in part due to only turning the ball over eight times total. Hendrix led the Tide in scoring – what’s new? – with 17 points and nine rebounds, and Riley shot an impressive 4-of-7 from three for 15 points. Unfortunately for the SEC, Gottfried simply doesn’t have the experienced depth to compete with the higher ranked teams.
Stat of the Game: Three Georgetown players with eight or more rebounds
Florida (91) vs. Florida A&M (52): The Gators’ comical schedule continues forward, as they dominated this game as they were fully expected to. One of the most underlooked freshmen in the country, Nick Calathes scored 20 points and fell 1 assist and 2 rebounds shy of Florida’s second-ever triple-double. Speights, the Gator co-star, scored his third double-double of the year with 10 points and rebounds apiece, and unreliable but potential-filled freshman Adam Allen had a career-high 19 points on a 7-of-10 shooting performance.
Stat of the Game: Florida’s 62.7% shooting percentage
#23 Vanderbilt (83) vs. Wake Forest (80): I’m beginning to believe the Commodores are a legitimate Top 25 team. Although Wake Forest isn’t a world-beater, they’re not a pushover either. And I’ll go ahead and admit it….I was wrong about Ogilvy. He’s good. Still not a top NBA prospect as he was picked to be, but he’s very talented offensively. His problem is physicality – he hasn’t learned to rebound or block efficiently enough to play at that high of a level yet, but I do not doubt he will eventually. He scored 23 points on the game in only 26 minutes of play, but claimed a disappointed five rebounds. Shan Foster continues his bid for SEC Player of the Year, scoring 26 points on 8-of-15 shooting and seven rebounds.
Stat of the Game: The Commodores’ 85.2% free throw percentage
Auburn (59) vs. West Virginia (88): The score pretty much says it all. The Mountaineers jumped out to a 26-4 lead and never looked back. The Tigers couldn’t defend, were rattled by the pressure defense into panicked and ill-advised shots, and turned the ball over 20 times. Auburn’s depth is inexcusable, and Lebo’s job is looking even more unsettled as only seven Tigers saw any playing time. Dewayne Reed is looking like the only truly competing scorer of the bunch, as he has only failed to score in double figures once this season. He notched 19 points on the night, but took an insane 19 shots and only hit seven, and turned the ball over five times.
Stat of the Game: West Virginia’s +14 turnover margin
Thursday Odds
None released, but I’m taking: Providence over South Carolina in a close one in Pennsylvania and #25 Villanova over LSU in a complete blowout, also in Pennsylvania.
